Psychoanalysts, patients: artists. Performative aspects of the psychoanalytic process

Psychoanalysis of art

Abstract

Since the inception of their profession, psychoanalysts have been trying to get to the heart of their work. Some remain committed to Freud's model. Others, in contrast, take a broader perspective, viewing psychoanalysis as a uniquely humanistic field. This paper proposes to reconcile this division by emphasizing non-theoretical considerations and by highlighting the art aspects of the psychoanalytic process.

Regardless of theoretical distinctions, psychoanalysts facilitate creative and transformative experiences that are best understood as transformative encounters. In this way, psychoanalysis is an active process: it alleviates suffering while helping people discover their uniqueness and authenticity. In order to emphasize the art form nature of the psychoanalytic process, this article attempts to reflect on the art form that takes place in the patient-psychoanalyst dyad. These reflections further support the idea that psychoanalysis is fundamentally an art process.